South African Bureau of Standards

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) is a South African statutory body that was established in terms of the Standards Act, 1945 (Act No. 24 of 1945) and continues to operate in terms of the latest edition of the Standards Act, 2008 (Act No. 29 of 2008) as the national institution for the promotion and maintenance of standardization and quality in connection with commodities and the rendering of services.[1]

South African Bureau of Standards
AbbreviationSABS
Formation1945[1]
TypeStandards testing and accreditation
Location
Region served
South Africa
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Mr Garth Strachan
Main organ
The Department of Trade, Industry & Competition
Websitehttps://www.sabs.co.za/index.asp
Head Office of the South African Bureau of Standards in Pretoria.

Function

As the national standardization authority, the SABS is responsible for maintaining South Africa's database of more than 6,500 national standards, as well as developing new standards and revising, amending or withdrawing existing standards as required.

Internationally, SABS experts represent South Africa's interests in the development of international standards, through their engagement with bodies such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). SABS also holds the Secretariat for SADCSTAN, the standardization body for the Southern African Development Community of 14 nations.

SABS Commercial (Pty) Ltd, a self-financing division within the SABS, offers certification, testing, consignment inspection and other services, mostly to industry. Apart from offering systems certification and product testing against the requirements of South African National Standards (SANS), SABS Commercial also operates its proprietary product certification scheme – the SABS Mark of Approval, assuring buyers that products are safe, fit for purpose and offer redress.[1]

Historically, the SABS also undertook certain regulatory functions on behalf of South Africa. In keeping with best international practice, this regulatory function was separated from the organization's standardization and certification activities, via the promulgation of the new Standards Act and the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications Act in September 2008. Under these new laws, the former SABS Regulatory division separated to form the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), a new organization also residing under the Department of Trade and Industry.[1]

The SABS provides commercial services in seven industry clusters:

  • Chemicals
  • Electro-technical
  • Food & Health
  • Mechanical & Materials
  • Mining & Minerals
  • Services
  • Transportation

Headquartered in Groenkloof, Pretoria, the SABS also maintains offices in Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and East London, and operates specialised facilities at Richards Bay, Secunda, Middelburg and Saldanha.

References
  1. "SABS - ABOUT SABS OVERVIEW". Retrieved 26 July 2016.
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